Recurring Epidemics of Meningococcal Meningitis in African Meningitis Belt: A Review of Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The African meningitis belt (AMB) is made up of 26 contiguous countries from Senegal in the West to Ethiopia in the East. Recurring epidemics of meningococcal meningitis have afflicted this region for more than a century. Epidemics are seasonal, occurring during the dry hot season and they can cause many deaths, and residual disability. This review presents a quick overview of the past and current trends of epidemic meningococcal meningitis in African meningitis belt, together with some recommendations aimed at ensuring “epidemic meningitis - free Africa”. Data was collected through the analysis of peer-reviewed studies and surveillance data on national, sub-national, and regional levels. This was performed using various search engines such as Pub Med, Google scholar, regional WHO homepages, and department of health websites. Despite much progress in surveillance and biological research, the pattern of epidemic meningitis in the African meningitis belt is still poorly understood, making it difficult to model and predict the epidemics. Other major challenges in controlling the menace of epidemic meningococcal meningitis in this area include inadequate surveillance during epidemics, and non availability of effective vaccines. For an effective control of meningococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt, there is a need for an effective surveillance system and accelerated development of a polyvalent conjugate vaccine that will be affordable to Sub-Saharan African countries.